25/09/2016  Shatin  Race 5

After being loaded into the barriers, RESPECT became very fractious and attempted to break through under the front gates. RESPECT was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Accordingly, RESPECT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. As a result of this incident, all horses were removed from the barriers and the start of the race was delayed. Before being allowed to race again, RESPECT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DR RACE was slow to begin. HELLO KIMBERLEY began awkwardly. I’M THE WON FOR U was bumped by HELEN’S CHOICE which was on jumping taken out by SPRING WIN. From wide barriers, MODERN FORTUNE and HURRICANE KID were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 900 Metres, MODERN FORTUNE and HURRICANE KID were crowded for room between DR RACE and SIR JOHN (C Schofield) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to runners to his inside. C Schofield was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in future. A short distance after this, MODERN FORTUNE was again crowded for room between HURRICANE KID and DR RACE (H W Lai) which, after initially being taken in behind HELEN’S CHOICE, then shifted out to resume its position to the outside of that horse. H W Lai was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. For some distance after the 700 Metres, MODERN FORTUNE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR RACE. Near the 250 Metres, TRILLION TREASURE got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. TRILLION TREASURE continued to shift out under pressure for the remainder of the race and proved difficult to ride. Throughout the race, HELLO KIMBERLEY travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion that an incident may have occurred over the concluding stages which cast sufficient doubt on whether TRILLION TREASURE should be declared the winner. M L Yeung, the rider of the second placed, HELEN’S CHOICE, in the presence of Trainer K W Lui, also viewed the video prior to electing not to enter a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of HELEN’S CHOICE. The Stewards also elected not to proceed with a protest/objection hearing after it was established that when TRILLION TREASURE shifted out in front of HELEN’S CHOICE approaching the 100 Metres, it was clear of HELEN’S CHOICE and it was not until after HELEN’S CHOICE improved to be racing close to the heels of TRILLION TREASURE near the 100 Metres that that horse had to be shifted out away from TRILLION TREASURE to obtain clear running. Consequently, as grounds did not exist for a protest/objection to be lodged on behalf of the connections of HELEN’S CHOICE, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he had been instructed to lead on SIR JOHN from its wide barrier, if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode SIR JOHN aggressively in the early stages, however, the horse did not show sufficient speed and was inclined to lay out in the initial stages of the race which made it more difficult for him to ride the horse along to obtain the lead. He said after the 1100 Metres it became apparent to him that SIR JOHN would not be able to go forward as horses drawn more favourably had clearly shown more speed in the early stages. He said he therefore elected to try and shift SIR JOHN in to obtain cover, however, he was unable to do so and because of this SIR JOHN was obliged to travel wide and without cover throughout the race. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he had been asked to ensure that he was able to shift DR RACE out in the Straight to obtain clear running. He said consequently, he remained racing in a three wide position despite it being available for him to shift in closer to the rail. He said he was able to obtain a good trailing position behind HELLO KIMBERLEY making the first turn and then was able to shift out to follow SIR JOHN when that horse commenced to improve after the 500 Metres. He added this provided DR RACE with the opportunity to immediately shift to the outside of SIR JOHN rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of UNLEASHED DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M THE WON FOR U, TRILLION TREASURE and HELEN’S CHOICE were sent for sampling.